FINAL CALL

FACES OF EVIL

BURGER BUNS

'Hungover Brit' with her bum on full display orders burger in Majorca

Schmiss was the word used for the wound or scar which was often proudly displayed to show a man’s prowess in the fight.

Those who took part risked losing their noses and ears, and some would even die in the bout,s where a surgeon would stand on side in preparation to assist if necessary, as well as being on hand to continuously disinfect the blades used.

Unbelievably, men wanted to be left with serious facial scars from the practice, and instead of it being a turn off for women, the more slashes they had the more female attention they got.

The Schmiss scar was a record of one’s courage hat signified masculinity and high social position

Stanley B. Burns, MD & The Burns Archive

Mensur at the hotel Hirschgasse Heidelberg, circa 1900

Stanley B. Burns, MD & The Burns Archive

Fraternity Student Jail in Heidelberg University - More than 175 images documents all aspects of the tradition in a photographic book called Mensur & Schmiss: German Dueling Societies

When it was very popular, there were postcards showing women admiring the men as they showed off their injuries. Dr Burns said: “It showed that you were not only of a higher social status, but that you belonged to the right social group and you had a lot of bravery.

“If a woman walked into a room and saw a man with one of these cuts you they want to meet him. It was a really interesting flag for masculinity.”

Dr Burns revealed he first became aware of the practice when a patient saw a photo of one of the duels on his wall in his room.

He said: “He told me: ‘I fought the Mensur’, and explained it to me. I have been collecting the pictures for the last 25 years.”

The collection of images are now available in a book called Mensur & Schmiss: German Dueling Societies, A Photographic History.

The photographs are from 1880-1930 and most have been taken by professional photographers.

There are more than 200 student Corps still participating in Mensur in Europe today.

The majority are in Germany and Austria, with others in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Baltic nations.

In current practice, Schmiss are not the badge of honour they once were, and most Mensur rarely end in the terrible injuries which those taking part used to suffer. Now they do not allow the duels to be photographed or videoed.

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